I am so sorry I finished the book on movie musicals. It was just the right size for leaving open on a table and reading it while I ate lunch every day. I wish I had another book like it.
Funny how this pandemic thing just up and grabs you some days. And other days you make it through okay. And it doesn't seem completely based on how bad the news is. I have the feeling it will be with us in some way for the next 20 years. When you think of the impact of the Great Depression-it only ended when it did because the country was gearing up for a war. And both world wars changed the world in so many ways. This will be more like those events I think. How horrible it is for the world's powerhouse to be brought to its knees while countries like South Korea make it through much better. I guess we know why that is.
Reading a Greg Iles book (Dead Sleep), although my friend who read it last said the ending was a disappointment. Just one long chase. Now I don't know whether to toss it or not. This friend is not a tough sell so I may give up on it. I hate long chase. Although chases can work in movies, not often in books.
Watching Shtisel on TV. Probably spelling it wrong. It's the story of a Hasidic Jewish family in Israel.
I rewatched Another Country from 1984 this week. I heard Rupert Everett on Desert Island Discs and got interested in him. Both Colin Firth and Rupert Everett seemed so young. The movie, based on a play, imagines how Guy Burgess began his journey toward becoming a spy for Russia.
Lots of walks although still more dodging and ducking around here. When a family of four and their two dogs walk together, where do you go? It seems like the sidewalks here are more crowded than the ones in NY.
Doing more cooking than I used to do. Phil did it for years and enjoyed it. I don't mind it too much because I mostly toss veggies and fish or chicken in a wok or in the oven. Nothing that takes too much planning because I cannot run out and get ingredients I don't have.
Listened to Megan interview Bob Kolker for Square Books. His book Happy Valley Road is getting a lot of attention. It's the story of family of 12 children where half of them have schizophrenia. Sad story.
So cool though that you can hear and see these events. This would have been a lot worse 25 years ago when there was no way to stay in contact with each other other than phone calls.
And wished my son, Josh, a happy 50th this week. They were supposed to be in London. I hope they get there in August but am doubtful.
Anyway, what's new with you?
14 comments:
I've read books like that, too, Patti, that I was sorry to finish. I was thinking about what you said about being able to see Megan's interview. I've been thinking that about technology, too. It has made so much of adapting to this pandemic easier than it would have been otherwise. And yes, some days it's easier than others...
Yes, there is always something you can find online or on Instagram or you tube if you need a laugh or an interview or a performance.
Diane and I used Facebook Portal to talk with Patrick and Katie last night. It's like a video telephone. Patrick and Katie are doing well. Both are working from home. Patrick knows 10 friends who have coronavirus (who live all across the US so it's just about everywhere). Katie knows one friend who has coronavirus. None of our friends have coronavirus. Yet.
Diane was thrilled that she found some antiseptic wipes during her weekly grocery trip to Wegmans yesterday. We enjoyed a wonderful Easter Take-Out dinner from the Webster Bistro, a local restaurant. Diane likes to cook and bake, but she also likes to take a break with some gourmet food.
The Big Mistake would be to lift the Stay-at-Home restrictions too soon. I'm guessing Trump will opt for June 1. Diane thinks July 4th.
Shtisel is correct. We loved it. They are finally making series four.
I think you're right about how long-term this is going to be. Jackie was freaking out a little when someone was talking about possibly getting back to something close to normal...in 18 months. If you think in terms of no theater, no concerts, no live sporting events, no large gatherings like weddings or conventions, you just touch the tip of the iceberg. And if The Very Stable Genius gets even part of his way to reopen prematurely, the repercussions will extend even farther.
We are basically doing nothing, just sitting home reading, eating, listening to music and watching television. We're still among the lucky ones that we can do that and that we are not infected. I will probably drive to the store tomorrow and stay in the car while Jackie shops. She has been cooking a lot, and so far we've ordered from three local restaurants. We're worried about how many of those that have closed will never reopen.
If they can come up with a vaccine that will be a big game-changer. But will it be too late to save the democracy and the economy.
And although there is nothing more than those things, Jeff, I can do, I do feel lazy somehow. I always worried I would end up like my parents watching TV all day and here it is. Ugh.
Jackie has MSNBC on for Morning Joe (three hours) and Nicolle Wallace (one hour) Mondays through Fridays, and Joy Reid (two hours each Saturdays and Sundays). She also likes Cuomo's daily updates. I stay in the den. We watch the local news at 5 and then usually end up watching three or four hours a night on Netflix or one of the other services, or something we've recorded. Frankly, I'd just as soon read, but I can't concentrate on a book and watch.
I know what you mean. I feel totally lazy and find myself nodding off more than once during the day and evening.
I watch no news. I read the print version of the NYT in the morning and the Free Press three days a week and then stay away from it. Phil, like Jackie, would watch MSNBC but only from mid-afternoon on. Especially once he was sick and Trump was elected. Like now, not much he could do.
I have read more the last couple days than I have been. Finishing up The Last Tourist a spy novel by Olen Steinhauer. Up next Do No Harm, a Nate Heller novel by Max Allan Collins or Borders by Don Winslow.
Finished up Babylon Berlin on Netflix. The new season of Killing Eve started last night. Watched Les Misérables (not the Victor Hugo based one)that I remember you liking. I thought it well done but didn't care much for the last half hour.
Wished the weather was consistently better so I could go for walks. Mostly in the high 40's for the next week.
I believe the stay at home policy will last longer than Trump wants, especially here in Michigan. I do wish my eye doctor would get back up and running.
Try not to watch too much news. It's mostly the same old thing hour to hour.
I do walk most days but it's not always fun. I am thinking June probably although it is possible some things will open earlier. But probably not movie theaters which we both miss a lot, Steve.
Since I'm pretty much a stay-at-home guy anyway, the shelter in place order doesn't affect me much, but Barbara was out most days and now it's only one weekday to shop during senior hours at market or Costco. So she's kind of antsy.
We watched JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR last night on NBC and liked the performance, but NBC put a lengthy commercial break between every single scene. Every one! It broke it up terribly. I'd seen it before, in L.A. back when it was new, but Baraba had not and it spoiled it for her. John Legend did a good job and Alice Cooper (!) too.
We started DVRing WORLD ON FIRE, the new WWII drama last night. When it's finished, we'll watch it straight through or over a few nights. We still have several Morse episodes to watch, and some movies, so there are lots of things. I'm reading the new book by Julia Spencer-Fleming, HID FROM OUR EYES, which I'm enjoying.
Stay well, Patti.
Thanks, Rick. I always tape anything on the networks cause the commercials ruin it. Especially something like that. What a shame.
Happy birthday to Josh!
The new normal has us all coping the best we can and, as you indicated, some days are better than others.
I have no doubt that the economy will tank, but I'm very upset with the fools who wish to open it up earlier than necessary. I see where a number of GOP hard-liners have criticized Fauci for what they perceive is his stepping outside of his medical domain, saying that he should not speak of economics. Fauci is not an economist, he's an expert on infectious disease and has only been talking from that standpoint. Just because he's advocating isolation as a way to flatten the curve, does not mean he is taking an economic stance. The Republicans are trying to build up support to open up the country sooner than later and that, I fear, will just cause more deaths, more economic upheaval, and a longer pandemic. Let's solve the most important thing first, then worry about the economy. Any problem with the economy can be solved if we approach it properly -- too bad the country is so divided that this will not happen. End of soapbox rant.
Our outside activity consists of taking trash to the dumpster and then checking the mail. Occasionally we will don our face masks to pick up something needed, although the girls have been very diligent in keeping us well supplied. The grandkids are deathly afraid that something will happen to us just because we are in the old fart risk group. It's heart-breaking to see them so scared.
The cat is realizing more and more that we are her only source of food, so she is being very lovey-dovey towards us. As a token of her appreciation, she is throwing up less -- something we appreciate.
Cable and streaming services help us quite a bit, but there is just so much what is available is terrible. We are now on Season Four of SUPERNATURAL, having started it from the very beginning. Ten more season to go! We watched and enjoyed MOLLY'S GAME, a 2017 Aaron Sorkin flick. Saw a bunch of so-so 1930's crime flicks. Getting to be a super-fan of VERA.
I also have a zillion books on hand, plus those that are available on-line. I've been using a lot of the time reading science fiction books I should have read decades ago. Kitty has been having a hard time reading during the pandemic, so she's been catching a lot of videos on YouTube, usually history although she does dip into the DIY stuff that she normally wouldn't. Last week, on our walk to get the mail she spotted a branch on the ground that had six or seven pine cones attached; she grabbed it and said, "Oh, look! I can paint this white!" Luckily, she didn't.
It's been hard to get needed stuff done because so many things have been closed. I've been trying to a copy of the title to our old car so I can get rid of it but the title people are closed. The hospital not only rebated a large payment dating back to Kitty's chemo treatments (because they could not find the appropriate account numbers) but they also never cash the original check so I've doubled my money with no way to correct their mistakes. Our library is closed but evidently someone forgot to erase the fines so the books that were due back two weeks ago will cost me a pretty penny in late fees until I can talk some sense to a human person. Because we have not made enough money over the past few years to file taxes, the stimulus check will not be coming our way until I can get through to the IRS which is completely bogged down online and over the phone.
None of this really bothers me because life goes on and we are all healthy and secure. Everything will fall into place sooner or later.
And Kitty just gave me my first haircut since we've been locked down and, God, I am handsome!
Wishing you all the best as we all muddle through this, Patti!
As always, Jerry. It's a pleasure. And muddle about covers it.
I am glad to say things are going well. We have a supplied grocery store, the children can do school from home, no one is sick, and my wife and I are still employed and have health insurance. My wife is able to work at home which means she is saving her car 70+ miles per work day.
I have had a bit of ennui lately. I go to work - the only person inside the library - and I seem to sit and answer emails all dang day.
I picked a good year where I planned to only read books I owned rather than pile up library books. I've gone through a few and started a Bernard Cornwell over the weekend. I was going to read an Adrian McKinty novel but I am currently listening to SAY NOTHING about the abduction and murder of Jean McConnville in Northern Ireland. I figure one Irish story of crime and murder was enough at one time. Besides, McKinty's DUFFY series mines real life with real people and I don't want to confuse the two.
Boy #2 is in 8th grade and his tuba solo qualified for the state musical performance competition. This is kinda rare for an 8th grader and my wife and I were bummed out when the state competition was cancelled. Fortunately he can record his performance and get a rating.
Boy #1 is a Junior and we have been pestering him to login and find out his ACT score. He has a AP Calculus test coming up in a month or two. He generally does quite well in math but I hope he is getting enough out of his online instruction.
My parents in IL are self-isolated and my father's health continues to be poor. Thankfully they get some in-home assistance during the day and have a good sized home.
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